A house RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE thirtIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE First John Baptist Church AND TO CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND Pastor John K. Baxter AND THE CONGREGATION FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE blythewood and columbia COMMUNITies.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that First John Baptist Church of Richland County is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary in 2024; and

Whereas, when First John Baptist Church was officially organized on February 3, 1994, with forty  members and dedicated leaders, Reverend Willie J. Davis, Jr., served as the first pastor; and

Whereas, in response to the prayers of the saints, the Lord used Reverend Mike Townsend and members of the Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Columbia and Reverend Thurmond Merchinson to provide the First John Baptist congregation with a place of worship and with spiritual guidance; and

Whereas, under the leadership of Reverend Davis on August 7, 1994, the church purchased its first place of worship on 1125 Friendly Woods Road in Blythewood; and

Whereas, since April 8,1996, Reverend John K. Baxter has served as the pastor of First John Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the mortgage on the first edifice at 1125 Friendly Wood Road was burned on July 24, 2000; and

Whereas, on July 11, 2004, the congregation relocated to its current site at 1516 Daulton Drive in Columbia.  The Lord has been faithful in blessing the congregation to continue the mission of "Upreach, Inreach, and Outreach." Many souls are being saved and various ministries and outreach programs are used by God to minister to the community; and

Whereas, the members of First John Baptist Church continue to walk by faith and not by sight and to claim God's promise, "Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"; and

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives wish to commend First John Baptist Church in Richland County for three decades of ministry in and service to the community and to extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's significant anniversary. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of First John Baptist Church and to congratulate and commend the congregation and Pastor John K. Baxter for their years of dedicated service to the Blythewood and Columbia communities.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend John K. Baxter.

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